Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/243

 sacrifices, dtaingthis time in which sacrifices are acceptable to God. Those of this class, though not "saints/' not members of the consecrated "body/* are called "breth- ren" by the Apostle. (Rom. 12 : *.) In the same sense the entire race, when restored, will forever be brethren oi the Christ, and children of God, though of a different nature. God is the Father of att in harmony with him, on every plane and of every nature.

Another class connected with the nominal Church, which never did believe in Jesus as the sacrifice for its sins, and which consequently is not justified not on plane N is represented below plane N, by section q. These are " wolves in sheep's clothing;'* yet they call themselves Christians, and are recognized as members of the nominal Church. They are not truly believers in Christ as their Redeemer \ they belong to plane R; they are part of the world, and are out of place in the Church and a great injury to it* In this mixed condition, with these various classes,, ?/;,/and q, mingling together and all calling themselves Christians, the Church has existed throughout the Gospel age. As our Lord foretold, the nominal kingdom of heaven (the nomi- nal Church) is like a field sown with wheat and tares. And he said he would " let both grow together until the harvest " in the end of the age. In the time of harvest he will say unto the reapers ("the angels" messengers), Gather to- gether the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn. Matt. 13 : 38, 41, 49-

These words of our Lord show us that while he purposed that both should grow together during the age, and be recognized as members of the nominal Church, he also pur- posed that there should come a time of separation between these different elements, when those who are truly the Church, his saints, approved and owned of God, should be made manifest. Matt, 13 : 39.

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